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Posted December 5, 2016 10:55 pm

SPORTS BRIEFS: Savannah State's James sets mark at track meet

LOCAL

Savannah State’s James

sets mark at track meet

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Laron James jumped 7.00 meters (22 feet, 11.75 inches) in the long jump to set the school record in the event and finish third at the UNCG Early Bird 6-Way meet Sunday to begin the indoor track and field season.

The previous record was Malik Franklin’s long jump of 6.98 meters (22-11) at the 2015 MEAC Indoor Championship.

The Tigers recorded seven other top-five finishes. SSU had three top-three finishes in the triple jump with Donterious Copeland winning the event with 14.73 meters (48-4), followed by Franklin with a distance of 14.72 meters (48-3.5) and James with a jump of 14.44 meters (47-4.5). Franklin also finished fifth in the long jump with a distance of 6.92 meters (22-8.5).

The city of Savannah has scheduled a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for Coach John Carlton “Jug” Knight Field at 10 a.m. Friday at the Scarborough Sports Complex at Bacon Park on Skidaway Road.

Improvements to the newly named field include, according to the city: approximately 88,818-square feet of synthetic turf field; installation of concrete curbs; the drainage system; and field markings and equipment to support football, soccer and lacrosse.

In order to be nominated, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 GPA scale and must have achieved junior academic status.

NATIONAL

Alabama’s Allen wins Nagurski Trophy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Team success is breeding individual success for members of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama senior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Monday, given annually to the nation’s best college defensive player.

Allen was selected over four other finalists, including Crimson Tide teammate Reuben Foster, a linebacker. Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Clemson defensive end Christian Wilkins were also among the finalists who attended the awards ceremony hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Alabama (13-0) is ranked No. 1 in the country, in large part due to its dominant defense. The 6-foot-3, 291-pound Allen has 56 tackles and nine sacks this season for the Crimson Tide, tied for third-most in the Southeastern Conference.

Purdue turns to Brohm to end football woes

Jeff Brohm is leaving Western Kentucky to take the head coaching job at Purdue.

Western Kentucky said Nick Holt will coach the Hilltopppers (10-3) in the Boca Raton Bowl against Memphis (8-4) on Dec. 20.

Brohm replaces Darrell Hazell, who was fired after winning just nine games in 3½ seasons. Gerad Parker took over on an interim basis halfway through last season and went 0-6.

Brohm, a former Louisville quarterback, went 30-10 in three seasons at Western Kentucky and has led the Hilltoppers to bowl bids all three seasons. Now he will get to work with quarterback David Blough, a two-year starter, at the Cradle of Quarterbacks.